India’s digital story continues to gather momentum on the global stage. According to the Network Readiness Index 2025 (NRI 2025), released on February 4, 2026, India has climbed four places to rank 45th among 127 economies, reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-improving digital nations in the world.
This improvement follows an even bigger leap last year, when India surged 11 ranks in 2024, underlining a sustained and structural shift rather than a one-time gain. Compiled by the Portulans Institute, a Washington DC–based independent research body, the index assesses how well countries are prepared to use digital networks for economic growth, social inclusion and governance.
A Consistent Rise, Backed by Data
India’s overall score rose from 53.63 in 2024 to 54.43 in 2025, reflecting progress across multiple dimensions of digital development. More importantly, the report finds that India’s network readiness exceeds what would typically be expected at its income level, placing it second among lower-middle-income countries.
The NRI evaluates countries across four key pillars:
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Technology – digital infrastructure and adoption
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People – skills, inclusion and digital participation
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Governance – policy, regulation and trust
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Impact – economic and social outcomes
India’s gains are spread across all four pillars, suggesting a balanced and maturing digital ecosystem.
Where India Leads the World
One of the most striking findings of the report is India’s leadership in several critical digital indicators:
India ranked 1st globally in:
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Annual investment in telecommunication services
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AI scientific publications
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ICT services exports
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E-commerce legislation
These rankings highlight India’s dual strength—building infrastructure at scale while also shaping digital policy and knowledge creation.
India also ranked 2nd globally in:
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Fibre-to-the-home/building (FTTH/B) internet subscriptions
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Mobile broadband data traffic within the country
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International internet bandwidth
And 3rd globally in:
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Domestic market scale
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Income inequality indicator
Together, these metrics point to a country that is not only digitally active but also increasingly influential in shaping global digital flows.
Why This Matters
India’s improving network readiness has real-world implications:
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Economic growth: Strong digital infrastructure supports startups, exports, fintech and innovation-driven industries
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Employment: Growth in ICT services and AI research fuels high-skill job creation
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Governance: Clear digital regulations and e-commerce laws improve trust and ease of doing business
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Inclusion: Expanding broadband access helps bridge urban–rural and income divides
In practical terms, this means faster internet, stronger digital public services, better access to global markets for Indian businesses, and greater resilience in a technology-driven world.
India’s Digital Advantage
What sets India apart is scale combined with intent. The country is investing heavily in telecom networks, producing globally relevant research in artificial intelligence, and exporting digital services at a time when data, connectivity and regulation are becoming central to national competitiveness.
The report’s observation that India performs better than expected for its income group suggests that policy focus, market size and talent depth are accelerating digital readiness faster than traditional economic indicators alone would predict.
The Road Ahead
While India’s progress is notable, the journey is far from complete. Challenges remain in areas such as digital skills distribution, cybersecurity, and ensuring equitable access across regions. However, the steady rise in rankings over three consecutive years signals that India is moving in the right direction.
As digital networks increasingly define economic power and social development, India’s growing readiness places it in a stronger position to shape—not just follow—the next phase of the global digital economy.
India’s climb in the Network Readiness Index 2025 is more than a statistical improvement. It reflects a deeper transformation in infrastructure, policy, innovation and global integration. In a world driven by connectivity and data, India is no longer catching up—it is beginning to lead.